Feeler mechanism for looms



M. L. STONE.

' FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR='4. 1920.

Patented May 24,1921.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVIN-I. STONE, or LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS, AssrcNon TO DBAPER conronn- TION, or- HOPVEDALE, vmssncrrnsnm'rs, A CORPORATIONOF MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

, Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. May 24, 1921.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MELVINL. STONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and btate of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms whereby filling is replenspecial bobbins have been required in order to cooperate with the feeler mechanisms. In some mills where bobbins having a conical or stepped base portion are used, it has sometimes been necessary to discard these bobbins when'adapting a feeler mechanism to the looms, because the feelermechanism itself has not been of a character lending itself to use in connection with the stepped form of bobbin.

An important feature of the present invention, therefore, consists of the feeler mechanism constructed for use in connection with bobbins having a stepped base portion. By stepped base portion is herein meant a series of rings gradually diminishing in size from the head or base of the bobbin toward the tip thereof, the gradations in size being in substantial accordance, with the conical wind of the filling when placed upon the bobbin. Y

The feeler mechanism of the present invention-comprises a plurality of feelers each individually capable of operating upon a common actuator to place it in inoperative positionwhen a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle, and permitting it to remaininoperative-position when filling is substantially exhausted and replenishment is desired, In carrying this feature of the inventionintopractical effect, a feeler carrier is employed which is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, and its rear'end portion is provided with a I series of steps or is stepped, so that the several stepsmay cooperate with the stepped base portion of the bobbin when filling is substantially exhausted. Associated with thefeeler-carrier area plurality of feelers,

one feeler being associated with each stepped portion of the feeler carrier and projecting 'rearwardly beyond the same, the construction being such that "when any one of the feelers is pushed frontwardly on a detecting beat, it will operate upon the actuator and place it inan inoperative position so that filling will not be replenished; but when all of the feelers are allowed to remain pro jected in their normal rearward position relative to the stepped portion, of the feeler carrier on a detecting beat, at which time filling is substantially exhausted, the actuator will be permitted to operate and. effect replenishment of filling.

Other features and novel elements and combination of parts will hereinafter be described in connection'with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a good,practical form of the present invention.

; In the drawings Figure 1' is aperspective view of the. feeler side of the loom, some of the parts being broken away and others omitted forclearness'of'illustration;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the feeler mechanism,-showing the actionof parts when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and all of the feelers, therefore, remain in rearward projected position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View partly in section, showing the action of the feeler mechanism when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle and Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in plan, showing the several feelers-in their fully rearward projected position on a detecting beat, when filling is substantially exhausted and the stepped portion of the'bobbin engages the corresponding stepped portions of the feeler carrier. v l The loom frame 1 has mounted thereon the usual transverse or rock shaft, which extends from the detecting to the replenishing side of the loom and is connected-to the replenishing mechanism, as usual in this class of 'looms,and being well understood by those familiar with the art, its illustration and further description are not deemed necessary. Extending upwardly from the rock shaft is the arm 2 having pivoted thereto at nected to some going part of the loom, as for instance, the cam follower. Pivotally mounted at 7 upon a bracket 8 rising from the loom frame is the transmitter 9, the end portion 10 of which extends beneath the latch 4:. The other end of the transmltter is turned laterally at 11 and provided with an incline 12. An arm or controller 13 is pivotally mounted at 14 and extends over the end 11 of the transmitter, the construction being such that when the arm or controller 13 is moved frontwardly, it will ride along the incline 12 and rock the transmitter'to place the end 5 of the latch in the path of movement of the operating member 6 to effect replenishment of filling.

The shipper stand 15 has extended therefrom the slotted bracket 16 to which is adjustably secured the bracket 17 which affords a proper support for the feeler stand, as will presently appear. The present invention has in view the provision of a feeler carrier for supporting the feelers and for cooperating with the stepped portion of a bobbin within the shuttle -when filling is substantially exhausted. There are two main types of feelercarriers known in the art, one a swinging feeler carrier mounted upon an arm pivoted to the loom frame,

and the other a reciprocating feeler carrier which is mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom in a feeler stand. In the present instance the feeler carrier is shown as of the latter type.

Adjustably mounted upon the bracket 17 by means of the set screws 18, is the feeler stand 19 in which is mounted for reciproeating movement the feeler carrier 20. A spring 21 surrounds the frontwardly-pro jecting stem 22 of the feeler carrier, and normally holds the feeler carrier in its rearward feeling position, and returns it to such position after it has been displaced frontwardly. Extending from the feeler stand 19 is the guide 23 under which pro- .jects theend of the transmitter 13, the construction being such that as the transmitter is moved frontwardly it will cause the latch 4: to be placed in the path of movement of the operating member.

Pivotally mounted at 24 on the feeler carrier 20 is the actuator 25, the front end 1 portion 26 of which is adapted to engage frontwardly when, on a detecting beat, the end26 of the actuator remains depressed in the present instance. 1

The presentinvention is especially applicable and advantageous in connection with bobbins having stepped orv ringed portions near the base thereof, such stepped or ringed portions being of gradually diminishing size from the base toward the tip of the bobbin. The rear end portion of the feeler carrier 20 is provided with stepped portions 27, 28 and 29, three being indicated in the present drawings, but any number being within the contemplation of the 1nvention. The stepped portions 27, 2S and 29 are adapted to cooperate with the steps or rings 30 formed near the base portion of the bobbin and with which the stepped portions of the feeler carrier 20 contact when, on a detecting beat, filling is substantially exhausted.

Associated with each of the stepped poi,- tions at therear end of the feeler carrier is a feeler, the end whereof is normally held rearwardly of the stepped portion with which it is associated, and is adapted to engage the filling on a detecting beat when a working supply is present in the shuttle. WVhen, however, the supply, of filling has reached the predetermined degree of exhaustion and a change of filling is desired, the ends of the feelers remain in their nor mally projected position, at which time the stepped portion of the feeler carrier engages the stepped or ringed portion of the bobbin on at detecting beat, and advantage is taken of the rearward position of all of the feeler members to initiate replenishment of filling.

In the present instance of the invention,

the rear end portion of the feeler carrier;

20 is provided with guideways 3i in'each of which is mounted a feeler 32, one for each or"- the stepped portions of the feeler carrier. In the present instance, the feelers each consist of a rod slidingly mounted upon the feeler and normally under the inrearwardly into its projected position. As

indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, each feeleris provided with a collar 33 against which rests the base portion of a spring 34 seated in the position on the feeler carrier. and move the end of the transmitter 13 Each of the feelers 32 is also'provided with another portion 36, which extends forward from the body of the feeler and engages the rear downwardly-projecting portion of the actuator 25. The actuator 25 has connected to its downturned end portion 37 fluence of a spring tending to move the feeler by the frontward push upon it on a detecting beat. The construction is such that should anyone-of the feelers 32 be pushed frontwardly relative to the feeler carrier on a detecting beat, its front end portion will engage the plate 38 and turn the actuator '25 intoits inoperative position. Thus, the actuator 25 is under the individual control of each of thefeelers and constitutes 'a common actuator for all of the feelers. If, however, on a detecting beat, all of the feelers remain in their rearwardly-projected position relative to the feeler carrier, then the actuator will remain in position to effect replenishment of filling'as the-feeler carrier moves frontwardly;

The lay carries the usual shuttle box 41 for receiving the shuttle 42, and the front wall of the shuttle box and adjacent wall of the shuttle are each slotted as at 43 and 4:4 to permitthe entrance of the end of the feeler carrier and several feelers on a detecting beat. The bobbin'45 has the usual holding rings 46 by which it may be held between the bobbin-holding jaws 47, and as hereinbefore stated, the portion of the bobbin adjacent the head thereof is provided with a series of rings or stepsy30.

When a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle-on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 3, all of the feelers'32 will be moved frontwardly relative to thefeeler carrier, and will push against the downwardly-extending end 37 of the actuator and cause it to be placed in inoperative position relative to the transmitter, so that as the feeler carrier 20' is moved frontwardly by the continued advance of the lay, replenishment will not be effected. As the filling approaches substantial exhaustion, the surface of the filling opposite the end of the feeler carrier and feelers will assume a substantially conical form corresponding to the conical tilt of the filling wind; and finally the filling will begin to be drawn. from the stepped or ringed portions 30 as indicated in Fig. 4: until finally all of the feelers. 32 will remain projected beyond the stepped portions of the filling carrier by entering the recess between the stepped rings of the bobbin, as indicated in Fig. 4:, and the stepped portions 29 of the feeler carrier will enga e the stepped portions or rings 30 of the b0 bin, and force or push the feeler carrier frontwardly, without, however, disturbin the relative position of the feeler carrier and feelers, so that the actuator will remain in position to effect replenishment of filling;

Thus the feelers act individually and independently upon the actuator to prevent replenishment of filling when a working supply is still present opposite thereto on a detecting beat, and replenishment is only. effected when all of the feelers remain projected beyond the stepped portions of the aplurality of feelers each comprising a slid ing rod having a portion extending rearwardly of one ofthe stepped portions ofthe feeler carrier anda second portion normally positioned to engagethe actuator and to independently render it inoperative on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and springs acting on'the several feelers to retain them in rearward position and Permit'theactuator to effect replenishment of filling when the filling is substantially exhausted opposite allthe feelers on a detecting beat.

2. A feeler mechanismroomprising, in combination, ca feeler carrier having a stepped rear end for engaging stepped portions of abobbin when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, a feeler extending rearwardly of eachof the stepped portions of the feeler carrier, an actuator adapt- "ed to be engaged and moved to an inoperative position by any one of the feelers when it is moved frontwa rdly on the feeler carrier by the .frontward push of the filling on a detecting beat, and means for holding all the feelers in rearward position when the steppedportion of. the feeler carrier engages the'stepped portion of the bobbin on a detecting beat, and means controlled by the actuator for effecting replenishment of fill- In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a single actuator controlling a transfer mechanism, a plurality of individual feelers each ofwhich comprises a sliding rod having a portion to engage the filling when a working supply is opposed to it on a detecting beat and a second portion p normally positioned toengage the actuator and to independently render it inoperative as the feeler is pushed frontwardly by the filling on a detectin beat, and yielding means acting to pro ect the feelers rearwardly and permit the actuator to effect replenishment of filling only when all of the feelers remain in rearward position. 4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler carrier mounted for 1 movement toward and from the front of the loom and having a stepped rear portion adapted to engage and to be moved frontwardly by the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, and to then engage stepped portions of the bobbin,

a plurality of feelers, one feeler being associated with each stepped portion of the feeler carrier, and each being independently movable on the carrier, and an actuator which is rendered effective to replenish the filling when all of the feelers fail to be moved frontwardly by the stepped portions of the bobbin on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the comblnatlon of a feeler carrier, a series of vfeelers mounted to slide upon the feeler carrier and normally held in rearwardly'projected position beyond the end of the feeler carrier, each of, said feelers supported by said carrier in position to feel for filling at a different point along the'filling carrier, an actuator movable to and from an operative position on the feeler carrier and having a part adapted to be engaged by any one of thefeelers when it is pushed frontwardly relative to the feeler carrier on a detecting beat to inoperatively position the actuator and permit the actuator to be operatively positioned in case all the feelers remain in their rearwardly projected position on a detecting beat. a

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of an actuator for effecting replenishment of filling, a plurality of individual feelers each comprising a sliding rod having a portion to engage the filling inthe shuttle on a detecting beat and a second por- 1 tion normally positioned to directly engage said actuator and to independently render the actuator inoperative until the filling is substantially exhausted, each of said feelers supported in position to feel for filling at a different point along the filling carrier, and springs acting to maintain all the feelers in rearward position when filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat to permit the actuator to eifect replenishment of filling.

7 In a feeler mechanism for looms, the

combination of a feeler carrier having a stepped rear end portion for engaging the stepped portion of a bobbin in the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat, and to be moved frontwardly thereby, an actuator mounted on the detecting beat.

feeler carrier for movement therewith and relative thereto, a plurality of feelers corresponding to the stepped portions of the feeler carrier each comprising a rod mounted for sliding movement on the feeler car rier and having a frontwardly extended portion adapted to engage the actuator when moved frontwardly relative to the feeler carrier, all of the said feelers being permitted rate stepped rings on the bobbin when filling is substantially exhausted, an independent feeler extending through each of the stepped portions of the feeler carrier, each of said feelers supported by said carrier in position to enter a difierent recess between the stepped portions of the bobbin and feel for the filling therein, and an actuator upon the carrier which is operatively positioned for effecting replenishment of filling only when all of the feelers remain in rearward position relative to the feeler carrier on a 9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom and having a rear engaging end adapted to receive the frontward pressure of a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat and be moved frontwardly thereby, a plurality of feelers mounted on the feeler carrier for movement with and relatively thereto, a single actuator which is controlled by the plurality of feelers, each acting independently of the others, and means for replenishing filling only when all of the plurality of feelers detect substantial exhaustion of filling on a detecting beat.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. Y

MELVIN L. STONE. 

